Mississippi requires financial literacy education for public school students, with mandates effective since 2015. The state has 114 financial literacy standards spanning 13 topic areas, covering grades 9-12.

Last updated: March 2026

114 Standards
13 Topic Areas
required Mandate Status
9-12 Grade Levels

Does Mississippi Require Financial Literacy Education?

Yes. Mississippi requires financial literacy instruction for public school students. Mississippi requires financial literacy education. Students must complete a Personal Finance course or equivalent financial literacy instruction before graduation.

Mandate Details

Status
required
Effective Year
2015
Standalone Course
Yes
Grade Levels
9-12
Legislation
Mississippi State Board of Education Administrative Code, Title 7, Part 24 (Graduation Requirements) (2018 (class of 2022))
SB 2147 / HB 1527 (2025 Regular Session, pending) (pending)

Key Agencies

Mississippi Department of Education
Oversees textbook adoption, curriculum standards, and educational procurement policy
Mississippi State Board of Education
Approves textbooks and instructional materials for state adoption lists
Office of Curriculum and Instruction
Manages the textbook adoption process and maintains adoption lists
What this means for districts: Schools must adopt curriculum that aligns to Mississippi's 114 financial literacy standards. Districts need to verify that their chosen curriculum maps to these specific requirements.

What Are Mississippi's Financial Literacy Standards?

Mississippi has 114 financial literacy standards organized across 14 topic areas. These topics range from Banking & Payments and Credit & Debt to Retirement Planning, covering the full spectrum of personal finance education.

16 standards
Banking & Payments
12 covered 4 gaps
15 standards
Credit & Debt
15 covered
13 standards
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior
10 covered 3 gaps
11 standards
Budgeting & Cash Flow
11 covered
10 standards
Insurance & Risk Management
8 covered 2 gaps
9 standards
Consumer Protection & Fraud
4 covered 5 gaps
8 standards
Taxes
8 covered
8 standards
Investing
8 covered
7 standards
Saving
7 covered
5 standards
Earning Income
4 covered 1 gap
4 standards
Employment & Benefits
4 covered
4 standards
Identity Theft & Cyber Safety
4 covered
3 standards
Macroeconomics/Market Context
0 covered 3 gaps
1 standard
Retirement Planning
1 covered

How Mississippi School Districts Adopt Financial Literacy Curriculum

Mississippi is a state adoption state, meaning curriculum must appear on a state-approved list before districts can purchase it with state funds. Mississippi is a state adoption state where the State Board of Education maintains official adoption lists for instructional materials in designated subject areas.

Purchasing Process

Materials must be approved through the state adoption process and placed on the state adoption list. Districts select from approved materials, though some flexibility exists for non-listed materials through local board approval.

Decision Level

The State Board of Education maintains adoption lists and sets standards, but individual school districts make final selection decisions from approved materials and can request approval for non-listed materials.

Textbook Adoption Cycle

Cycle Length
6 years
Subject Area
Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Financial Literacy

Mississippi operates on a 6-year adoption cycle for core subject areas. Specific subjects are reviewed on a rotating schedule. Vendors should verify current cycle status with the Mississippi Department of Education.

Cooperative Purchasing Options

Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA) cooperative purchasing programs Cooperative purchasing through regional educational service agencies

Curriculum That Meets Mississippi's Financial Literacy Standards

Districts looking for a standards-aligned financial literacy curriculum can use iKnowFi Academy — a self-paced, online platform built on the Absorb LMS that maps directly to Mississippi's learning objectives. iKnowFi Academy covers 96 of 114 standards (84.2% coverage) across 8 courses.

Mississippi Standards Coverage

84.2%
96 of 114 standards covered 8 courses

Aligned Courses

Borrowing Money

4 modules · 9 standards aligned

Establishing Credit

4 modules · 6 standards aligned

Financial Building Blocks

3 modules · 19 standards aligned

Financial Preparation and Recovery

3 modules · 17 standards aligned

Managing Your Money

4 modules · 23 standards aligned

The Importance of Saving

2 modules · 9 standards aligned

Using Credit Cards

1 module · 2 standards aligned

Your Financial Future

3 modules · 11 standards aligned

Mississippi's Financial Literacy Standards & iKnowFi Academy Alignment

All 114 standards — 96 covered by iKnowFi Academy.

Banking & Payments 12/16 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-27 Identify the various types of financial institutions and list the basic products and services provided by those institutions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-28 Identify and discuss various types of financial institutions (e.g., banks, credit unions, online banking, etc.). 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-29 List and describe the products and services provided by financial institutions (e.g., savings, checking, credit cards, loans, safe deposit boxes, etc.). 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-30 Research and describe various concepts related to checking accounts. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-31 Identify steps involved in opening a checking account. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-32 Compare and contrast different types of checking accounts offered by various institutions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-35 Identify and describe the various options for monetary transactions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-36 Discuss the various ways to deposit funds (e.g., deposit slip, online, etc.). 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-39 Differentiate among types of electronic monetary transactions (e.g., debit cards, ATM, direct deposit, online banking transfers, etc.). 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-40 Research new and emerging ways to transfer money (e.g., PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, ApplePay, etc.). 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-41 Discuss how new and emerging ways to transfer money affect financial institutions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-42 Discuss other ways to transfer money (e.g., cashier’s check, money order, etc.). 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-33 Describe the steps involved in the bank reconciliation process. 9-12 —
STD-34 Demonstrate the steps involved in the bank reconciliation process. 9-12 —
STD-37 Demonstrate how to write a check. 9-12 —
STD-38 Demonstrate how to endorse a check. 9-12 —
Credit & Debt 15/15 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-86 Investigate credit. 9-12 Establishing Credit
STD-87 Investigate the effects one’s credit score has on their financial decisions. 9-12 Establishing Credit
STD-88 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using credit. 9-12 Using Credit Cards
STD-89 Explain the need for a sound credit rating. 9-12 Establishing Credit
STD-90 Explain the importance of annually monitoring one’s own credit rating. 9-12 Establishing Credit
STD-91 Read a credit report. 9-12 Establishing Credit
STD-92 Interpret a credit report. 9-12 Establishing Credit
STD-93 Research principles about loans. 9-12 Borrowing Money
STD-94 Discuss principles about loans. 9-12 Borrowing Money
STD-95 Apply principles about loans. 9-12 Borrowing Money
STD-96 Define interest as a cost of credit. 9-12 Borrowing Money
STD-97 Explain why interest is charged. 9-12 Borrowing Money
STD-98 Explain how the amount of principal, the period of the loan, and the interest rate affect the amount of interest charged. 9-12 Borrowing Money
STD-99 Calculate a payment schedule for a loan. 9-12 Borrowing Money
STD-100 Evaluate various loan scenarios to discern the best option available (e.g., annual percentage rate [APR], cash back, etc.). 9-12 Borrowing Money
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior 10/13 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-1 Define and explain individual wants and needs. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-2 Define the following terms: wants, needs, values, goals, scarcity, opportunity costs, trade-off. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-3 Differentiate between wants and needs. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-4 Identify the various factors that influence wants and needs. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-5 Apply opportunity costs and trade-offs to personal decision-making. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-6 Apply the steps of a decision-making process. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-9 Recognize and analyze the consequences of a decision. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-62 Examine the impact of advertising and marketing on consumer demand and decision making in the global marketplace. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-63 Discuss impulse buying. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-65 Discuss influence of product placement, packaging, and other characteristics that influence purchasing. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-7 Identify and discuss the steps involved in the PACED decision-making process. 9-12 —
STD-8 Apply the steps of the PACED decision-making process to a situation involving a personal financial decision. 9-12 —
STD-64 Discuss buyer’s remorse. 9-12 —
Budgeting & Cash Flow 11/11 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-43 Identify short- and long-term financial goals to construct a personal spending and/or savings plan. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-44 Define fixed and variable expenses. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-45 Categorize fixed and variable expenses. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-46 Discuss and create a budget. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-47 Research budgeting applications. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-48 Discuss the pros and cons of budgeting applications. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-49 Identify various rules for budgeting to determine what percent of income is allocated to each type of expense. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-50 Evaluate an example monthly statement/budget. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-51 Identify income, fixed expenses, variable expenses, and so forth in an example monthly statement/budget. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-52 Create a monthly budget using a given scenario. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-53 Discuss how income and spending patterns change throughout the life cycle. 9-12 Your Financial Future
Insurance & Risk Management 8/10 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-105 Discuss risk and the role of insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-106 Identify risks in life. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-107 Identify how to protect against the consequences of those risks. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-108 Explain the role of insurance in financial planning as a wealth-building and wealth preservation tool. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-109 Identify and discuss the various types of insurance and basic insurance concepts. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-111 Identify the various types of insurance and the legal expectations for certain ones. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-112 Explain how insurance needs vary among individuals, families, seasons of life, and so forth. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-113 Discuss the various factors that influence choice of insurance type and amount. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-110 Define basic insurance terms (e.g., deductible, premium, etc.). 9-12 —
STD-114 Develop a recommended insurance coverage for a given scenario with various factors, including family/individual, income, age levels, and so forth. 9-12 —
Consumer Protection & Fraud 4/9 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-55 Apply comparison shopping practices. 9-12 Managing Your Money
STD-58 Demonstrate the use of various applications to help save money and compare prices. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-61 Identify various ways to purchase goods and services. 9-12 Using Credit Cards
STD-69 Describe how to identify and report fraudulent behavior and practices when purchasing goods and services. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-54 Distinguish between goods and services. 9-12 —
STD-56 Identify differences of name-brand and generic items. 9-12 —
STD-57 Demonstrate couponing. 9-12 —
STD-59 Research and identify various ways to purchase goods and services (e.g., online, storefronts, retail, wholesale, etc.). 9-12 —
STD-60 Research various ways to purchase goods and services. 9-12 —
Taxes 8/8 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-18 Differentiate between gross and net income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-20 Explain the various types of taxes and their impact on income and purchasing power. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-21 Discuss and give examples of deductions (e.g., taxes, insurance, etc.). 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-22 Calculate net income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-23 Describe information and required forms relevant to the completion of state and federal income tax forms. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-24 Complete pre-employment forms, such as a W-4, a state tax form, and an I-9. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-25 Complete end-of-year tax returns (e.g., 1040, state tax form, etc.). 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-26 Discuss reasons why one would receive a W-2 or a 1099. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Investing 8/8 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-71 Apply principles to make decisions regarding saving and investing. 9-12 Your Financial Future
STD-74 Apply criteria for choosing a savings or investment instrument (e.g., market risk, inflation risk, interest rate risk, liquidity, and minimum amount needed for investment). 9-12 Your Financial Future
STD-79 Calculate the Rule of 72. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
STD-80 Apply the Rule of 72. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
STD-81 Apply the concept of Time Value of Money. 9-12 Your Financial Future
STD-82 Research and describe other considerations and items related to savings and investing. 9-12 Your Financial Future
STD-83 Explain how and why the stock market functions. 9-12 Your Financial Future
STD-85 Discuss various items related to a monetary inheritance (e.g., financial implications, investment options, taxation, etc.). 9-12 Your Financial Future
Saving 7/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-70 Compare saving and investing. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
STD-72 Differentiate between saving and investing. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
STD-73 Identify and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various savings and investing plans. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
STD-75 Analyze concepts about simple and compound interest. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
STD-76 Apply concepts about simple and compound interest. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
STD-77 Compare and contrast simple and compound interest and the impact each have on savings. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
STD-78 Analyze the power of compounding and the importance of starting early in implementing a plan for savings and investing. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
Earning Income 4/5 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-10 Differentiate between and give examples of earned and unearned income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-11 Identify types of earned income: wages (minimum, overtime, holiday, etc.), salary, tips, commission, and so forth. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-12 Identify types of unearned income: government sources (transfer payments) and private sources (interest, dividends, gifts, etc.). 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-19 Calculate gross income, including hourly wage, overtime, holiday pay, commission, and so forth. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
STD-13 Discuss variable income, such as that of an entrepreneur. 9-12 —
Employment & Benefits 4/4 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-14 Discuss human capital and how personal choices influence income. 9-12 Your Financial Future
STD-15 Discuss how education, experiences, technology skills, and so forth affect future careers and income. 9-12 Your Financial Future
STD-16 Identify the training and education necessary to obtain a desired job. 9-12 Your Financial Future
STD-17 Identify and discuss the common challenges of citizens in low-income areas related to financial decision making and job placement (e.g., payday loans, staffing agencies, background checks, required drug tests, etc.). 9-12 Borrowing Money
Identity Theft & Cyber Safety 4/4 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-101 Research ways to identify and prevent identity theft related to credit cards and loans. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-102 Discuss ways to identify and prevent identity theft related to credit cards and loans. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-103 Identify the most common and current methods of identity theft to be aware of. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
STD-104 Analyze various real-life scenarios of identity theft and discuss how they could have been avoided. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Macroeconomics/Market Context 0/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-66 Describe the role that supply and demand and market structure play in determining the availability and price of goods and services. 9-12 —
STD-67 Define supply and demand and market structure. 9-12 —
STD-68 Discuss how these factors influence price and purchasing behavior. 9-12 —
Retirement Planning 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
STD-84 Examine the fundamental workings of the Social Security System and the system’s effects on retirement. 9-12 Your Financial Future

Mississippi Financial Literacy FAQ

Yes. Mississippi requires financial literacy instruction, effective since 2015.

Mississippi requires financial literacy education. Students must complete a Personal Finance course or equivalent financial literacy instruction before graduation.

Mississippi's financial literacy requirements are established by Mississippi State Board of Education Administrative Code, Title 7, Part 24 (Graduation Requirements) and SB 2147 / HB 1527 (2025 Regular Session, pending).

Requires all high school students to complete a College and Career Readiness (CCR) course for graduation beginning with the class of 2022; the CCR course includes an embedded one-semester personal finance unit, but there is no standalone personal finance course mandate. Proposed bills that would require a standalone half-Carnegie-unit personal finance course for graduation and mandate financial literacy curriculum in grades 6-8 beginning in the 2026-2027 school year; not yet enacted as of March 2026.

Mississippi's financial literacy standards apply to grades 9-12. A standalone course is required.

Mississippi has 114 financial literacy standards spanning 13 topic areas including Credit & Debt, Banking & Payments, Budgeting & Cash Flow, Financial Decision-Making & Behavior, Taxes.

Mississippi's 114 standards are organized across 13 topics: Credit & Debt, Banking & Payments, Budgeting & Cash Flow, Financial Decision-Making & Behavior, Taxes, Investing, Insurance & Risk Management, Saving, Earning Income, Employment & Benefits, Consumer Protection & Fraud, Identity Theft & Cyber Safety, Retirement Planning.

Mississippi uses a state adoption process. Districts select from a state-approved vendor list.

Materials must be approved through the state adoption process and placed on the state adoption list. Districts select from approved materials, though some flexibility exists for non-listed materials through local board approval.

iKnowFi Academy covers 96 of Mississippi's 114 financial literacy standards (84% coverage) across 8 self-paced online courses.

Each course is aligned to Mississippi's specific learning objectives, built on the Absorb LMS, and includes built-in assessments. Teachers assign them and students work independently.

Get Your Free Mississippi Standards Alignment Report

See exactly how iKnowFi Academy maps to each of Mississippi's 114 financial literacy standards — standard by standard, module by module.

  • 96 of 114 standards covered
  • 8 self-paced courses, ready to assign
  • Built-in assessments and progress tracking
  • No schedule changes needed — students work independently

Ready to see the full alignment?

Free for Mississippi school districts

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Last updated: March 2026